LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Gov. Mike Beebe said he’s hopeful a trade mission to China this month will quickly result in new jobs for Arkansans.

Beebe announced more details Tuesday on his trip to China, which will cost nearly $130,000. His delegation leaves Wednesday and will return April 16. The governor said he’ll meet with manufacturing companies, key Chinese government officials and Arkansas-based companies in China.

“If the Chinese companies that are contemplating a presence in North America follow through on those things then we want them to be at least considering Arkansas and hopefully come to Arkansas rather than some other state and create jobs for our own people here,” Beebe said.

His delegation, organized by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, will include his wife, chief of staff, economic development officials and two state troopers.

The trip is funded by nearly $100,000 in state funds and nearly $30,000 in private funds. The state estimates airfare to cost $25,000, hotel stays $34,000, and miscellaneous costs such as meals and an interpreter to run $40,000. The delegation will travel to Hong Kong, the Great Wall of China, Tianamen Square and the Beijing Walmart.

Beebe said the trip is designed to inspire Chinese investment into Arkansas and to increase Arkansas exports, primarily poultry, to China. Beebe wouldn’t divulge the specific companies he is scheduled to meet with, but said all are light and heavy manufacturers.

“What I’d like to see happen is actual investment in a relatively short amount of time, but I’m not naive and recognize that sometimes when you plant the seeds it takes a little longer for them to come up,” Beebe said.

Separate trade missions to Cuba and Europe in 2009 are the only international business Beebe has conducted since taking over as governor in 2007. Beebe used Europe as an example of short-term success but said his trip to Cuba hadn’t “resulted in much change yet.” Beebe said the trip is a risk that is worth it.

In 2008, Arkansas opened an economic development office in China, which is the state’s fourth-largest trading partner. Arkansas exported more than $336 million in goods to China in 2010.